Folding table



May 8, 1923.

J., HIGHAM FOLDING TABLE Filed March 10, 1921 m VENTOR. John /l ATTORNEY.

Patented May 8, 1923.

JOHN HIGHAM, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed. March 10, 1921. Serial No. 451,187.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HIGI-IAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding tables.

An object ofthis invention is to provide a portable table particularly adapted for motorists, campers, and the like, that may be readily folded into a very compact form for transportation; the table comprising a foldable table top of transverse strips of wood secured to one side of a piece of fabric, and a collapsible supporting frame adapted to be Separately folded into very compact form and further adapted when opened to engage the top at each corner to hold the fabric stretched across the supporting frame in such a manner as to hold it rigid to present a smooth surface; the wooden strips being supported at each end by the frame to support the weight of objects placed upon the table top.

Another object is to provide a table of the above character embodying a top supporting frame comprising four vertical legs of angle iron joined by longitudinal and transverse members which are adapted to be folded at their centers, but normally held rigid and fixed relative to the legs by means of sway-braces.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a table embodying the features of this inven tion, showing a portion of the top broken away.

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the top supporting the frame shown in partially folded position.

Figure 3 is a View in longitudinal section of a part of the top supporting frame as seen on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

More specifically 4 indicates a table top of suitable fabric 5, such as oil cloth. This fabric is reinforced by transverse strips of wood 7 spaced apart from one another at a suitable distance to facilitate folding; the strips being secured to the fabric in any suitable manner but preferably glued thereto. To present a neat appearance at the ends of the table the fabric is drawn over the edges of those two strips which form either end of the tabletop and terminates at the under side thereof. These two end pieces are each provided withtwo slots 8, each slot disposed at opposite ends of the respective pieces but being preferably covered by the fabric. I

This table top is supported by a collapsible frame 9, provided with four vertical legs 10, of suitable material but preferably of angle iron to provide light weight but rigid construction. These legs are formed at their upper ends so as to fit into the slots 8, provided in'the table top. These four legs are joined near their upper ends by two longitudinal members 11, and two transverse members 12'; all of these members being pivotally secured to the legs so that they may be readily folded so as to extend parallel to the legs when the frame is folded, These members 11 and 12, each comprise two separate pieces 13 of suflicient length so as their ends'over-lap, and are pivotally connected't'o oneanother midway between adjacent legs so that these members may be folded by forcing the legs toward one another as shown clearly in Figure 2. Each of these pieces 13, are Drovided with drilled holes 14 and 15; the hole 14: in the one member being positioned to align with the hole 15, in the other member when the members are expanded into fully opened position so that a pin 16, may be inserted through these aligning holes to lock the parts in position for the purpose of providing rigidity to the frame and of holding the transverse and longitudinal member substantially at right angle in fixed position. Two sway-braces 17 and 18, are pivotally mounted on either side of each leg and are adapted to be folded so as to lay adjacent to the side of the leg on which they are mounted. Each of these sway-braces is also provided with a hole 19 also adapted to align with the other two holes 14 and 15, so that the pin may be inserted through these three aligning holes.

It will be observed that this pin serves to prevent the transverse members from buck ling at the center as well as serving to hold the sway-brace in fixed relative position. Each of the legs, being formed of angle iron, present two exterior surfaces which are disposed at right angles to one another adjacent which surfaces the sway-braces are pivoted.

The table may be folded by removing the pins whereupon the sway-braces are allowed to swing down as shown in Figure 2 until they extend parallel to the leg. The transverse and longitudinal members are then buckled at the center so as to bring the legs toward one another as shown in Figure 3. When the table is of oblong shape such as shown the longitudinal members are preferably buckled first and the legs brought together until in contact with one another, whereupon the transverse members are buckled and the other set of legs brought over into contact with the other legs resulting in all the parts being compactly folded together and occupying a space of minimum cross-section. Whereas I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention I do wish to be confined thereto but may employ other embodiments, but wit 1- out departing from the spirit of the invention, coming within the scope of the appended claims, for instance the folding frame substantially as shown and described may be used as a support for various purposes other than table tops.

I claim:

1. In a folding table, the combination of a foldable top and a foldable supporting frame; said frame comprising a plurality of vertical legs, longitudinal and transverse members pivotally secured to and joining said legs; said members eachcomprising a pair of crossed pivotally connected pieces whereby the members are adapted to be folded and when extended in alignment to have their portions overlapping beyond the point of their pivotal connection, and sway-braces pivoted to said legs, said pieces composing the transverse and longitudinal members as well as said sway-braces being provided with openings all adapted to be brought into alignment; pins adapted to be inserted through said openings when brought into alignment with one another, said pins serv ing to hold all parts in fixed position relative to one another.

2. In a support for folding tables and the like, the combination of a plurality of vertically extending legs, means for joining said legs to form a supporting frame; said means comprising a plurality of transverse and longitudinal members hinged at their centers, sway-braces pivoted on said legs and adapted to extend obliquely upward to engage said transverse or longitudinal members, said members and said sway-braces being provided with holes adapted to be brought into alignment, and pins adapted to be inserted in said holes whereby said members are prevented from buckling and may be connected together and fixed relative to said legs by said sway-braces.

JOHN HIGHAM. 

